North East thread 7: the bus chat continues...

[Someaddedsugar]

Just setting this up so it's here

Found my way in. Will go back and put a link without an extra full stop in the old thread.

Checking in 🚌 🚌

Bums! Coss-posted with @PickAChew on end of last thread
Sorry for my first post on the new thread starting with a rude word

I expect you can work out who I am This is Sort Of My Real Name

Some of DS1's model collection. It's been augmented since the photo was taken and he also has an old Scarlet Band numberplate 😃

Honestly, I would be happy to convey students home to anywhere West as far as Crook, anywhere South to about Spenny, and North as far as Chester-le-St. If you live Gilesgate or Belmont way, then it really is too much of a faff

No payment - I am repaying Durham for looking after me these many long years. I could commit to a regular day a week. They may have to put up with endless tales of the Good Old Days, and When Snow Was Really Snow

For anonymity, PM me if you think I could be of service.

Thank you for flagging the link issue all - not a clue how I've managed that!

You're very kind @SequentialAnalyst!

That looks like a good collection @PickAChew - how old was your DS when he first starting collecting?

@AlviarinAesSedai is the John Lewis quality street section one of the ones where you can choose your own and personalise the tin? Looking for a present for DP from DS and suddenly thought that'd be a good token gift.

@Someaddedsugar yes. Refill tin to the brim for £12.50. My DM gave back her tin with a note of the ones she loves 🍬 .
It’s brilliant because you can fill with the ones you love.
It’s on the third floor near lifts. Or the technology floor as I call it.

That's the quality street they do, @Someaddedsugar . Bit miffed that I didn't get the chance to browse their Christmas shop, this morning, as my X21 ended up late and dropping us off on Newgate street and I needed to get to my hair appointment so my priority was the face cloths (eye surgery, next week, so my usual lather and splash won't be allowed.)

The model buses are recent as, apart from the novelty charity shop ones, they're expensive. He started off with making paper buses about 10 years ago. These are probably a good wet school holiday activity for any kid! ronandton.wordpress.com/

Shiny things floor. A good way to get DH up there. Aren't they contemplating turning that floor into flats?

Are they? @PickAChew . Where are they going to put all the stock.

Did anyone see the Durham council parking charge survey?
No longer free on street on a Sunday and prices going up. But Belmont and Sniperley park and ride to run on a Sunday.
Need to complete. But when they knock down Prince Bishops, there won’t be any shops left. And Next/ New look/Superdrug probably won’t return.

Sunday park and ride would be excellent. Would also be useful later in the evening, if they're so committed to night life.

Some of the stores, elsewhere in the country, are already being part converted and it's been mooted for ours but I suspect that the Waitrose closure is saving them enough, for now. I think the change in leadership of Newcastle council (for someone without a passon for concreting over green spaces) may have helped to stall it.

Yes, I agree re park and ride. I would like it to run until 10oclock.
Didn’t know there was a change of leadership at Newcastle council.
Pleased you managed to get hair done.

Aren't there nightbus 21s? When they are running, of course.

I also agree re Sunday and later night park and ride - even if they just had it open on a Sunday with the option to walk into town to avoid the busy-ness of Durham.

I will definitely be visiting John Lewis then!

Thanks for the activity link @PickAChew - that'll be something to do with DS next week . I'm finding he's at a funny age where he's not as interested in toys atm but crafts and activities get his attention straight away.

I have nothing to ad for the bus chat as they make me 🤢travelling on them

i worked at the prince bishop when it first opened after being at milburngate for a bit

The N21s just run on a Friday and Saturday night these days. When they run.

Checking in. I love that the northeast chat is still going!

Found you 👋🏻

Hello! I'm new here, I didn't know there was a northern thread. I'm from Whitley Bay, but have lived in the south for 20 years or so now. I visit several times a year, and it's still home. ❤️

Hi, @SuperSange . These threads started during the pandemic when we had local restrictions up here and we've stuck around to chat about local stuff. The buses talk is because Go North East drivers have started an indefinite strike, today after two separate week long strikes 😖

Checking in with the new thread.

We're lucky with the strikes really as we don't have any Go NE services, just Arriva and then Gateshead Taxis who took over the SB route.

One of my friends needs to get to work in Newcastle from Chester-le-Street, the only bus now running is the Arriva X12. He is raging with Arriva as during the last strike they continued running the X12 as a single decker. It's only once an hour so loads of people couldn't even get on it! You would think Arriva would have the common sense to at least make this a double decker bus!

I have managed to wrangle working from home next week but can't after that so it's back to taxis for me. I really can't afford that for long 😔

Remember there is a train service from Chester le Street to Newcastle/Durham might help someone.Supposed to be every 30 minutes. Northern rail service. Might help. Even if you have to stand.